New High-Tech Trisuits Aim to Give Triathletes an Edge in the Water, on the Bike, and During the Run

Great Britain’s triathletes will head into the Paris Olympics equipped with a game-changing innovation: bespoke trisuits designed to enhance their speed across all three disciplines. These cutting-edge suits, developed by the UK Sports Institute (UKSI) over the past few years, are tailored specifically to each athlete, combining advanced materials and aerodynamics to provide a significant advantage.

The trisuits, which were secretly tested by Alex Yee and Beth Potter during a world series race in Cagliari in May, aim to improve performance in both swimming and cycling. Yee won his race, while Potter finished third, showcasing the suits’ effectiveness. Unlike off-the-shelf models, these suits are custom-made for each athlete, using a combination of fluid dynamics, heat regulation, and aerodynamics to optimize performance.

Mike Cavendish, performance director of British Triathlon, emphasized the suit’s innovative design, which pushes the boundaries of current triathlon rules. The suits are built to cover as much of the body as possible without violating competition regulations. While the precise performance gains are hard to quantify, experts believe the new trisuit will significantly boost athletes’ performance, especially in the cycling and swimming segments, while still ensuring comfort for the run.

Fiona Johnson, a senior performance innovation consultant at the UKSI, explained that the development of the trisuits was influenced by knowledge from cycling and swimming technologies. The suits are specifically designed to address the unique challenges of triathlons, making them a hybrid of cycling and swimming suits. The GB team’s investment in this technology is expected to give them a competitive edge over rivals at the Olympics.

In addition to the trisuits, Team GB has focused on refining its open-water training protocols and relay strategies, which Cavendish believes will set them apart in Paris. While the trisuits are a vital part of their preparation, the team’s overall talent, culture, and planning will play an even larger role in their success at the Games.